ベイカー寮221B／Baker House 221B

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Episodes of Sanada Maru

Episode 46 Hodan (Cannonball)

Hideyori praises Yukimura for his exploit. But he tells Hideyori to be cautious and make Ieyasu irrititated. And Hatsu (Joko-in), younger sister of Chacha asks Yukimura to persuade her to be calm. She seems to believe that she will die in the flames of war like her parents.

Ieyasu orders SANADA Nobutada who serves him to scheme Yukimura to betray Hideyori. Nobutada thinks it's impossible but it makes him happy to meet his nephew for the first time in more that twenty years. Then he hands letter of Ieyasu to him. It says how he will treat him when he betrays Hideyori. Nobutada tells him that he doesn't need to read it and later tells Ieyasu that it results in failure.

ODA Urakusai supposes Hideyori, Yukimura, Ono Harunaga and his mother Okurakuyo no Tsubone that they should make peace with Ieyasu because it's the golden opportunity to do it. Though Hideyori hopes to postpone it, he finally agrees with the negotiation. But Chacha refuses it strongly. Yukimura who wants to triumph Ieyasu is not keen also thinks so. Then Ieyasu orders his soldiers to fire a culverin and its cannonball hits the keep of Osaka Castle where Chacha lives.

Episode 47 Hangeki (Counterattack)

The hit kills some of the maids of Chacha and it unsettles her mind. It is the plot of Ieyasu to threaten her and from this, the trend towards making peace with Ieyasu becomes to grow.
Hideyori says that he will accept the condition however it's inconvenient for him if the world becomes peaceful. Ieyasu says that he hopes reconciliation on the surface but in reality he plans to pressure Hideyori to obey him and make the castle defenseless.

Urakusai hopes to sit at the negotiation table but Yukimura stops it because he feels him suspicious about him. Then it has been arranged that two women, Acha no Tsubone, concubine of Ieyasu and Hatsu discuss what to do after the battle. But Hatsu is ignored and Acha no Tsubone makes Okurkuyo no Tsubone, who accompanies Hatsu agree with her idea and it's decided that the moats of Osaka Castle are filled.

Because of this, the castle becomes defenseless. Yukimura droops his shoulders but his comrades in arms encourage him. Espacially Hideyori says that he will continue fighting against Ieyasu, quoting Yukimura's word "Those who always have a hope can clear his own future". It makes Yukimura renew his determination.

Episode 48 Hakka (Firing)

GOTO Matabei and MORI Katsunaga assault the headquarter of Ieyasu at night. On the other hand, Urakusai tries to inform Ieyasu that some ronins will attack him on the following day. But he is detected that he is a spy of Ieyasu by Yukimura and leaves Osaka Castle. Sasuke attacks Ieyasu and kills him but it is his double.

Hideyori's vassals worry that the provisions in Osaka Castle become to decrease and ronins are eager to fight against Ieyasu again. Then Hideyori permits them to meet their wives and children to make themselves at ease. Meanwhile Yukimura plans to construct a new fort. And he also visits his nephews, sons of Nobuyuki with Daisuke.

He meets them at the headquarter of Nobuyoshi. He is a gentle young man but his brother Nobumasa is rude and opposes Daisuke. After returning to Osaka Castle, Yukimura finds something at the corner of the garden and finds it is a flintlock (*).

Yukimura hurries Hideyori and ONO Harunaga up to prepare for next battle to take back some of Toyotimi's territories to supply the provision. And ronins are given money from the treasury by Ono Harufusa and purchases guns. Soon after Nobuyuki receives a letter from Yukimura that hints at his death.

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Episode 43 Gungi (War Council)

TOKUGAWA Ieyasu who stays at Nojo Castle asks KATAGIRI Katsumoto about the ration in Osaka Castle. He says that there is only six-month supply of ration in store. At Osaka Castle, KIMURA Shigenari, one of the vassals of TOYOTOMI Hideyori suggests holding the castle. ONO Harunaga, ODA Urakusai and the Osaka Five except Yukimura agree with it but Yukimura is dissatisfied.

To begin with, Hideyori has no reinforcement to support him during the siege. And Yukimura plans to divide and confuse the enemies much more than Hideyori’s army in number. However Harunaga uses something that profits some of the Osaka Five as lures to make the agree with the holding the castle.

Then Yukimura proposes to Harunaga that thsy should fight against the Tokugawa Army outside the castle to protect the Toyotomi clan. Though Urakusai shows disapproval,　Hideyori agrees with his plan at last.However Chacha insists holding the castle and Yukimura has to work out another measure.

Episode 44 Chikujo (Construction)

Yukimura finds that the defense of south side of the castle should be strengthened. He plans to construct a fort there but Matabei has the same idea. However Yukimura plans to construct it to win while Matabei intends to die brilliantly in the upcoming war. Yukimura shows him his plan of the fort that is designed to slow the advance of enemy. Not only Matabei, but Hideyori is satisfied with the plan also.

But Okurakyo no Tsubone, who always looks down on the ronins suspects Yukimura who has such an idea. Then Harunaga and Shigenari don’t allow the ronins to take up the position and Yukimura’s plan of constructing a fort is cancelled.  Urakusai also tells Hideyori that he should not trust Yukimura because his father Masayuki was a man who promoted himself by betraying many people.

Yukimura still keeps constructing the fort though he is disturbed by Urakusai. Hideyori finally allows him to construct it. And the red armours are completed and Yukimura, Daisuke and TAKANASHI Naiki who wear the armours clombs the tower. Naiki asks Yukimura the name of the fort and he says proudly,
“Needlass to say…it’s SANADA Maru!!”  (*)



Episode 45 Kanpu (A Complete Victory）

The winter campaign of the Siege of Osaka began but Hideyori’s army is defeated by that of Tokugawa. It seems that somebody communicate with the Tokugawa Army secretly. Yukimura becomes to suspect Urakusai. And he tells Haru, Ume and Daihachi not to go out of the castle. Kiri becomes a maid of Chacha.

Sanada Maru is a great menace to TOKUGAWA Ieyasu. Then he orders Uesugi Kagekatsu who was closed with Yukimura to attack him with the Sabadas’ soldiers. Sasuke hands a secret letter to Yukimura and he tried to avoid fighting against his family. Then he plans to put his enemies up and then make themselves overreach as his father Masayuki did in the Siege of Ueda in 1585.

Other members of the Osaka Five and KIMURA Shigenari help him. He makes Shigenari disorder the armies of the Iis and the Maedas using matchlocks and fallen rocks. Then Yukimura rides on a horse and announces his name,
“I am SANADA Saemonnosuke Yukimura!”
He beat the enemies with HOTTA Sakubei with many soldiers perfectly. It moves UESUGI Kagekatsu though he is his enemy now.

Uesugi Kagekatsu (Keinichi endo, left) and his vassal Naoe Kanetsugu (Shingo Murakami) see Yukimra and Sanada Maru.

(*) In the scene, Takanashi Naiki finds the soldiers wear red armours in the enemy's position. Yukimura tells him that it's the army of the Iis and the clan must have their own history as the Sanada clan have. Naiki tells his master that he would like to hear about them. Many viewers thought it's the public relations of "Onna Joshu Naotora".

The images are from the DVD series of "Sanada Maru".
 

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Episodes of Sanada Maru

Episode 40 Yukimura

AKASHI Teruzumi draws Nobushige and KATAGIRI Katsumoto together. Katsumoto is expelled from Osaka Castle. A little while ago, He was ordered to explain the meaning of the inscription on the bell of Hokoji Temple to Ieyasu. There are some words that mean the misfortune of Ieyasu and the prosperity of the Toyotomi clan. Katsumoto wasted time in Sunpu.

While he stayed in Sunpu, Okurakyo no Tsubone visited there and talked about it with Ieyasu. He planned to cajole her out of discussing it so she insisted that there was no reason to worry. Though Katsumoto said that he schemed for something, she would not listen to it. Finally he was expelled and Ieyasu regarded the relationship between them had cut.

Katsumoto asks Nobushige to participate in the war of the Toyotimis and the Tokugawas. But he refuses it and returns to his house where Kiri is waiting for him. She urges him to join them and says that there is someone who needs him repeatedly. Though her words irritates him, he thanks for her that gives him a boost.

He changes his name from Nobushige to Yuykimura. Yuki is the letter his brother abandoned when he changed one of the letters in his name (:). And mura is after Kudoyama mura (village).


Episode 41 Nyujo (Entering Osaka Castle)

Yukimura tells TAKANASHI Naiki, Sasuke, Haru and Kiri that he will escape from Kudoyama and enter Osaka Castle to take the side of Hideyori. Ieyasu also knows that there are many ronins gather in the Castle. So Kudoyama becomes to be watched strongly. And SANADA Nobuyuki makes Nobuyoshi as his heir and in case a war occurs, he will lead the Sanada clan but Nobumasa is dissatisfied with it.

One night Yukimura invites the villagers and TAKEMOTO Gidayu who is in charge of watching them. He and his family, Naiki, Kiri and Sasuke dance Karigane odori (**) and they go out of the room one by one and never appeared in front of them again. Then they hide themselves in an abandoned temple and depart for Osaka secretly.

Yukimura disguises himself as an old man and enters Osaka Castle. There are many ronins who were famous daimyos or samurais but beaten in the Battle of Sekigahara. Yukimura takes off his kimono and wig and wears Kamishimo to greet Hideyori. He throws out his chest in front of Hideyori and manages the transport of provisions. Hideyori feels reassured about it.

Episode 42 Mikata (The Comrades in Arms)

Nobushige meets Chacha for the first time in fourteen years. Her uncle ODA Urakusai, who occasionally counsels her says that he is useful in some cases. Hideyori gives him a room but he refuses it and applies for a shared room. Then he live in a room with CHOSOKABE Morichika. His family and vassals are given several rooms apart from that.

Ieyasu dispatches his army to Osaka led by TOKUGAWA Hidetada. And Sasuke delivers Yukimura’s letter to Nobuyuki in Edo and brings HOTTA Sakubei to Osaka though stopped by Nobuyuki. Sakubei goes to Osaka after the marriage of his niece Sue. At Osaka Castle, Yukimura is offered to become a general of his army.

At the war council in the castle, ONO Shuri Harunaga announces that Hideyori hopes that Yukimura will lead the army but it is refused by GOTO Matabei. The council becomes uncontorollable and results in dividing the ronins into five troops and each of them has it own leaders (The Osaka Five). Though TAKANASHI Naiki worries about it, Yukimura says that their ambition is strong and is different from the soldiers of the Tokugawa Army in this respect.

(*) In regard to this, please see the episode 37 "Nobuyuki"
(**) A local dance of Shinano. KO (Sei-in in) dances it in the wedding ceremony of Nobushige (Yukimura).

SANADA Yukimura (Masato Sakai, left) who disguises himself as an old man enters Osaka Castle.

The image is from the DVD series of "Sanada Maru"

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Episode 37 Nobuyuki

Though beaten in the war against the TOKUGAWA Ieyasu, SANADA Masayuki keeps hunting the remnants of the Tokugawas and is stopped by Nobuyuki. In October 1600, Ueda Castle is told to surrender and there is possibility that they are executed by Ieyasu.

 

Nobuyuki and his father-in-law HONDA Tadakatsu petition Ieyasu to reduce their penalty. Then Ieyasu tells Nobuyuki to change one of the letters of his name. he changes the letter of “yuki” to disown his father (*). Then Ieyasu plans not to give Masayuki any opportunity to participate in any war.

 

Nobuyuki is granted is father’s fief in Ueda and becomes to rule both Ueda and his original fief Numata. On the other hand, Masayuki, Nobuyuki, their family members except Kaoru and vassals are exiled to Kudoyama, the villafe lies at the foot of Mt. Koya.

 

Episode 38 Masayuki

They are given a simple house in Kudoyama and is kept under survelliance. Though HONDA Masanobu begs Ieyasu to parson them, he flatly refuses it. Besides he estsablished Tokugawa Government and make his granddaughter Sen marry Hideyori, son of TOYOTOMI HIdeyoshi.

 

One day in 1606, Nobushige happens to meet ITABEOKA Kosetsusai who says that something is still burning in his eyes. In Kyoto, Ieyasu meets Hideyori to display him his authority. Hideyosi grows into an amazing young man and it surprises him. HONDA Masanobu tells him that if Hideyori is mediocre, he will not threaten Ieyasu and can live long.

After that, KATO Kiyomasa dies suddenly and it's rumoured that he was poisoned. And in Kudoyama, Masayuki becomes ill and shows Nobuyuki the paper about strategy written by himself it as if he leaves a will to him. In 1611, he sees his deceased lord TAKEDA Shingen in a vision and dies.

Episode 39 Saigetsu (As Time Goes By)

Nobuyuki visits Kudoyama and Nobushige tells him that they hurt for money though Kiri and Sasuke earn little money. He promises he will send enough money to support their lives. They are familiar with the lives in Kudoyama but Nobuyuki plans to appeal Kodai-in, former Kita no Mandokoro (Nei) to pardon them but Ono-no Otsu-u, who mediated her and him says it’s in vain.

 

A woman visits Kudoyama then. She is Taka, daughter of TOYOTOMI Hidetsugu who was saved execution and escaped to Luzon when his father committed suicide. She says she is a  concubine of Nobushige and shows them a flat braid. Nobushige tries to make it by themselves and Kiri and Haru makes samples.

He asks Chobei to sell it and they receive ten per cent of the sales. Thanks to the income, they have a banquet one night but Daisuke practices go because he is always beaten by TAKANASHI Naiki. When Nobushige is ourside, someone calls him. It is AKASHI Teruzumi, who formerly served UKITA Hideie.

(*) He changes the letter "yuki (幸)" that is also used in his father's name Masayuki to "yuki (之)" to disown his father.  

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Episode 34  Kyohei (Uprising)

ISHIDA Mitsunari is told to be confined but the administration without him doesn't go well. In February 1599, he makes a comeback. Nei decides to become a nun so Kiri, who serves Nei is going to serve the Hosokawas. In the next month, leading figure MADA Toshiie dies and it encouragws those who are against Mitsunari and finally TOKUGAWA Ieyasu orders him to retire from his position. Then he departs for Sawayama Castle in his fief.

After that Ieyasu enters Fushimi Castle and tells Nobushige to serve him but he refuses it. Ieyasu, the actual governor of Japan now gives notice to UESUGI Kagekatsu who is suspected to rebel against him. But his vassal NAOE Kanetsugu sends a letter calld Naoejo, that says the rumour of rebellion is not true and the Uesugis are busy with building castle town in Aizu. It makes Ieyasu unsatisfied and he decides to attack Kagekatsu.

SANADA Masayuki receives a letter from the Uesugis that asks him to fight against Ieyasu together. On the other hand, Ieyasu asks Chacha for some amount of money. Besides he asks her to permit him the use of the Toyotomis' battle flags to justify his attack to the Uesugis. Though Okura-kyo no Tsubone opposes, Chacha permits it. After he marched to the East, some daimyos as UKITA Hideie, KOBAYAKAWA Hideaki and KATAGIRI Katsumoto discuss to defeat Ieyasu.

Episode 35  Inubushi

Women of the Sanadas leave Osaka to avoid the war in the near future. Ina, wife of SANADA Nobuyuki who is a daughter of HONDA Tadakatsu, vassal of Ieyasu promises her husband not to communicate with her father secretly. In Osaka, the daimyos includes ISHIDA Mitsunari prepare for the war against the Tokugawas. But KOBAYAKA Hideaki is tired of fighting and is told by his vassal ITABEOKA Kosetusai, who is a spy in reality how to behave during the war.

In July 1600, Fushimi Castle is attacked and it triggers the series of battles related to the Battle of Sekigahara. OTANI Yoshitsugu writes to the daimyos who still cannot decide which side they should take and suggest them that they should support ISHIDA Mitsunari. As his illness prevents him from writing letters, Mitsunari assists him and finishes it. SANADA Masayuki receives it and is shocked at the rash act of Mitsunari that makes his plan disturbed.

That night Masayuki, Nobuyuki and Nobushige talk about how they should do at Inubushi where their camp is established. Masayuki hopes the return of trubulous times but it's impossible after the unifitication of whole country by ODA Nobunaga and TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi. Nobuyuki says that he will take the sides of Ieyasu for his father-in-law is HONDA Tadakatsu. Then Both Masayuki and Nobushige take the side of Mitsunari and winner(s) will help loser(s) as possible after the war (*).


Episode 36  Shobu (Fight)

Nobuyuki left Inubushi and takes the side of Ieyasu while Masayuki and Nobushige meets Ina, Ko and their children. Ina hears that Nobuyuki took the side of Ieyasu and says it's characterestic of him. After that, Masayuki and Nobushige visit Numata Castle of Nobuyuki with vasssla but Ina and Ko never allow them to enter the castle because they are enemies. Masayuki smiles wryly and says that Nobuyuki has a good wife.

TOKUGAWA Hidetada attacks Ueda Castle. Nobuyuki who communicates with his brother secretly and fights against him not seriously but in a set manner. In addition, the soldiers of the Sanadas confuse Hidetada's army and steal their rations. It keeps raining for several days and Kan River near Ueda has risen. Hidetada is forced to retreat and marches to the west obeying the order of his father.

Masayuki and TAKANASHI Naiki see their retreat in the rain. Masayuki to Nobushige,

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Episode 31 "Shuen" (The End)

The council system that supports young Hideyori is established and daimyos and magistrates take an oath to protect his last will and testament. But Ieyasu is unsatisfied with it. He plans to make Hideyoshi who wastes away get up and add something benefits him to the testament though having a twinge of conscience. But after that , ISHIDA Mitsunari makes his lord revise it again not to make it be changed any more.

Chacha who refuses making Hideyori see his weakened father but permits his son visit Hideyoshi at last. Hideyori sees his father and rings a bell on a table. Meanwhile Mitsunari visits SANADA Masayuki and asks him to kill Ieyasu for he was told to do so by Hideyoshi. Masasuke declines to accept it but calls Ideura Masasuke to steal into the residence of Ieyasu and kill him. But it is noticed by SANADA Nobuyuki in the residence.

Masasuke failed the assasination and is badly scalded. At the same time, Nobushige is told by Hideyorhi to support Sakichi, childhood name of Mitsunari. After that the fire of candlestick goes out and it makes Hideyoshi frightened so much. He tries to call somebody and searches a bell but he fall down from his western-styled bed and dies.

Episode 32 "Oshu" (Exchange of words)

The death of Hideyoshi is kept a secret for a while and the council system of daimyos and magistrates starts. As ISHIDA Misunari is busy with putting the opinions together, he asks Nobushige to be his assistant. Unfortunately, the death of Hideyoshi becomes to be rumoured here and there and TOKUGAWA Ieyasu frequently invites many daimyos include SANADA Nobuyuki to his dinner party to win them over to his side when it's important.

Mitsunari also invites daimyos to vie with Ieyasu but those who visit him are very few. Moreover he meets the daimyos return from the invasion to Ming though his cold attitude is opposed by daimyos and their men who are exhausted with fighting. While he is absent, Ieyasu makes his children marry those of major daimyos against the oath. Though Nobushige pursues it, he brazenfacedly answers him.
"The Taiko's will becomes effective after his death. But his death has not been officially announced and his funeral has not been held as yet."

In January 1599, Hideyoshi's death is announced but Ieyasu continues breaking the oath and Mitsunari plans to make him leave the council. However Ieyasu pretends to be ignorant of it and it makes Mitsunari so angry and blames him individually despite the words of OTANI Yoshitsugu not to do it. But Ieyasu, who has the highest rank at the place says he's wicked and Mitsunari is driven to extremes and decides to kill him.

Episode 33 "Doran" (Disturbance)

Mitsunari talks about attacking Ieyasu with the daimyos UKITA Hideie and KOBAYAKAWA Hideaki. But the plot is disclosed to Ieyasu by ITABEOKA Kosetsusai, diplomat priest  (*) who served the Hojos and serves Hideaki now. HONDA Masanobu decides to use Mitsunari's attack against the Tokugawas and tells his lord Ieyasu to gather those who intend to take his side and many daimyos visit his residence to protect him from Mitsunari. SANADA Nobuyuki is forced to join them by his father-in-law, HONDA Tadakatsu.

It puts Mitsunari at a disadvantage. However he makes SANADA Nobushige and Hideaki to persuade UESIGI kagekatsu and MORI Terumoto respectively though it's impossible. And Nei (Kita no mandokoro) thinks Mitsunari is against the will of her dead husband. Mitsunari appeals to Chacha to support him but is opposed by Okura kyo no Tsubone, who is afraid of the deterioration of a relation with Ieyasu. And Masayuki dares to support Ieyasu to make Mitsunari give up the idea.

OTANI Yoshitsugu, closed friend of Mitsunari also takes the side of Ieyasu. Mitsunari becomes desperate but is stopped by Kagekatsu with his vassal NAOE Kanetsugu. He is hostile to Ieyasu and promises Mitsunari that he will attack Ieyasu someday. On the folowing day, the daimyos leave the residence of Ieyasu who feels a certain reaction in gathering them a word from him.

(*) At that time, some priests served daimyos to negotiate with other clans.

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Episode 28 "Gokai"（Misunderstanding）

The birth of Hiroi maked Hidetsugu abandson the position of kanpaku and go missing. He goes to Osaka Castle and is taken care of Kiri who serves Nei there. But he feels disappointed when he hears that Hiroi is called "Your Highness" (*) privately and has no will of returning to Jurakutei in Kyoto. At that time, Nobushige tells OTANI Yoshitsugu about it. Yoshitsugu, who has been out of order since his return from Korea but makes preparations to keep his missing secret.

Masayuki neglects his duty of participating building Fushimi Castle and leaves it up to his son Nobuyuki. Instead he visits Shimabara, licensed quarters. Nobushige visits Jurakudai and meets Taka, daughter of Hidetsugu who asks him to hand some pictures of the Virgin and child done with tempera to her father. Then Nobushige returns to Osaka to meet Hideyoshi and is encouraged to marry Haru, daughter of Yoshitsugu.

At last Hideyoshi learns the disappearance of his nephew. He goes to Koyasan with SANADA Nobuyuki and has a heat-to heart talk with him. Hideyoshi becomes so angry but orders him to be confined to the indoors for a while. And he sent FUKUSHUMA Masanori, one of his childhood friends there. But Hidetsugu finally commits suicide so all of his concubines and children for treason by Hideyoshi. But only Taka hides herself in a room of Jyurakudai. She is found and sent to Luzon secretly by Sukezaemon, a merchant of Sakai.

(*) In former times, the word was used to address not only princes and princesses but high aristcrats includes kanpaku also.

Episode 29 "Ihen"（Disorder）

Hideyoshi has his base in Fushimi and Nobushige marries Haru. She is welcomed by the Sanadas but Nobushige and his brother Nobuyuki know that their mother Kaoru doesn't come from the Kikutei clan, an aristcrat family but was their maid. Nobushige tells Haru that he cannot forget his first concubine Ume and she understands it. But at that night, he hurries to Fushimi Castle for Hideyoshi wets his bed. Not only bed-wetting, he becomes to forget many things.

He feels uneasy about his future and plan to establish a council system that supports Hideyori after his death. He tells TOKUGAWA Ieyasu about it repeatedly and it confuses him. Moreover, he command it to ISHIDA Mitsunari though the system is planned by Mitsunari. Hideyoshi senses a decline in his health. He tells Nobushige that he is afraid of his death and hope to be with Hiroi though it's refused by Chacha.

Masayuki, who is criticised for visiting licensed quarters but he ignores her. Then Nobuyuki shows the map of Fushimi castle and he points out how to protect the castle with eagerness. But on the 13th of the leap month July 1596, Fushimi was hit by a big earthquake and the keep collapsed.

Episode 30 "Tasogare"（Twilight）

After the erthquake, Hideyoshi enters Osaka Castle with Nei, Chacha
and Hiroi. At that time, he loots the loaded goods from a wrecked Spanish ship and executes Catholic priests. His strange behaviour cannot be stopped by anyone and OTANI Yoshitsugu,  father-in-law of Nobushige who falls ill is hard to cope with the situation. Moreover, Hideyoshi urinates in public appearance.

In such situation, Hiroi has coming-of-age ceremony at six and changes his name Hideyori. And Hideyoshi orders UESUGI Kagekatsu to move to Aizu, current Fukushima to keep watch over TOKUGAWA Ieyasu from the north. In March, he has a party of viewing cherry blossom and then he climbs a cherry tree to please Hideyori but falls from it. His condition becomes worse and Nobushige keeps it secret. But at last he tells the truth to Nobuyuki to decide how the Sanadas will do after the death of Hideyoshi.

And Ina shows some letters to her husband, Nobuyuki. In those internal affairs of the Sanadas are written in detail. It is her duty for she is a daughter of HONDA Tadakatsu, senior vassal of Ieyasu. But she tells him that she won't do such a thing any more.

Hideyoshi (Fumiyo Kohinata, right)who sees the town of Osaka from the keep of Osaka Castle with Nobushge (Masato Sakai)

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Episode 25  "Betsuri"（Parting）

After the Siege of Odawara, the Toyotomis and Sen no Rikyu become to dislike each other because of some ingots of lead impressed Rikyu's seal that were found in Odawara Castle. TOYOTOMI Hidenaga, younger brother of Hideyoshi points out that it needs to some daimyos to protect the Toyotomis for Rikyu is a merchant and gives priority to profit over other matters.

After that, Hideyoshi and his vassals make Rikyu confine to his house and he is  made to committ hara-kiri at last. On the other hand, Tsurumatsu, only son of Hideyoshi suffers serious illness and Nei, Kita-no-Mandokoro tells her husband that Tsurumatsu is cursed by dead Rikyu and those who were killed by Hideyoshi despite innocence.

SANADA Masayuki who occasionally stays in Kyoto visits Hideyoshi brings a medical herb. His wife Kaoru and KATAGIRI Katsumoto make medeicine but it ends in failure. Tsutumatsu dies at the age of three. His mother Chacha cries bitterly in the arms of Nei and it cast a shadow over the future of the Toyotomis.

Episode 26 "Uri-uri" (Gourd seller)

Hideyoshi retires from kanpaku and becomes taiko (*) and his nephew Hidetsugu succeeds him. However he is still full of ambition and plans to invade into China. He builds a castle in Nagoya in Hizen, current Saga and calls daimyos gather but it makes them perplex.   

Though some daimyos advance to China, rest of them spend time having a drinking party and a disguising competition. Though Masayuki and Nobuyuki plan to disguise themselves as gourd seller but give up for Hideyoshi also disguise himself as same one though his call is much inferior to that of Masayuki.

At that time, Tori, grandmother of Nobuyuki and Nobushige and mother of Masayuki is seriously ill. They viti her in Ueda Castle. Then she gets up and tells her grandsons to cooperate with each other and dies after that. Two days later, Chacha give birth to a baby in Osaka Castle. He becomes to be called Toyotomi Hideyori later. 

Episode 27 "Fushin" (Distrust)

After taking office as kanpaku, Hidetsugu performs his duties but he always afraid of how Hideyoshi regards him. Especially he worries about how Hideyoshi treats his son Hiroi. And he tells Kiri who serves him as maid then to become one of his concubines. But she is told not to be so by his daughter Taka for he is faint of heart.

Hidetsugu decides to perform NOH and takes lessons from UKITA Hideie, a daimyo who is reltives of the Toyotomis. However Hideyoshi is unsatisfied and tells him to give priority to his business. He gets depressed but is consoled by Nei. Besides, Hideyoshi tells Nobushige that he plans to ask the court to give him and his brother official titles despite his refusal.

Then Hidetsugu happens to see a plan of building Fushimi Castle, new castle for Hideyoshi and understands that he intends to attend to government affairs. It makes him feel suspicious of Hideyoshi. In addition, his younger brother Hideyasu died of illness but Hideyoshi never allows the members of the Toyotomis attend his funeral for the death brings misfortune.

* Taiko is a title for former kanpaku.

The image shows Toyotomi Hidetsugu (Shinya Niiro, left) talks with his uncle Hideyoshi (Fumiyo Kohinata, right). (From the official website of Sanada Maru)
 

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Episodes of Sanada Maru

Episode 22 "Saitei" (Arbitration)

HOJO Ujimasa decides to visit Hideyoshi in exchange for making him prove that Numata belongs to the Hojos. Then Nobushige, ITABEOKA Kosetsusai, vassal of Ujimasa and HONDA Masanobu, vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu submit their agreement to an arbitation. SANADA Nobushige appears on behalf of his father Masayuki.

They argue to whom Numata belongs to and Nobushige wins the argument with the help of Masanobu and Hidetsugu, chairman of the arbiration. But ISHIDA Mitsunari asks Nobushige and Masayuki to compromise with the Hojos to make Ujimasa visit Hideyoshi easier.

Finally, the Hojos are granted Numata Castle and the Sanadas are granted Nagurumi Castle stands close to Numata. It is Masayuki's idea for everything in Numata Castle can be seen in Nagurumi Castle. After a while, the Hojos suddenly attack Nagurumi Castle and it causes the siege of Odawara in 1690.

Episode 23 "Koryaku" (Conquest)

In 1590, TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi besieges Odawara Castle with the armies of many daimyos who ally with him. The Hojos has the consultation to determine to surrender or not in vain. But HOJO Ujimasa amuses himself by playing kemari to escape from the uneasiness of being attacked.

Hideyoshi enjoys the dance of Izumo no Okuni with Chacha in his camp. On the other hand, SANADA Masayuki reduces castles to the north of Odawara with UESUGI Kagekatsu who says that there's no justice in the war.  And ISHIDA MItsunari is sent to attack Oshi Castle with which SANADA Nobuyuki has hard time.

Ujimasa indicates Hideyoshi the surrender on terms but Hideyoshi leaves it to his vassals and visits a hot-spring resort with Chacha. Then ITABEOKA Kosetsusai and HONDA Masanobu recommend Nobushige who argued well in the arbitration over Numata Castle. In the castle, Nobushige meets an unlooked-for man.

Episode 24 "Metsubo" (Downfall)

The man is OYAMADA Shigemasa, brother-in-law of Nobushige. After the missing of his wife Matsu near Lake Biwa, he became to serve the Hojos. Then Nobushige is taken to the room of Ujimasa by Kosetsusai and perasuades him to surrender and it moves Ujimasa.

At last Ujimasa cuts off his topknot and surrnders to Hideyoshi. He is ordered to committ hara-kiri by Hideyoshi and his son Ujinao becomes a monk and is exiled to Koyasan. And Nobushige cannot get off some ingots of lead out of his head. He found in the armoury of the Hojos where he met Shigemasa and the seal of Sen no Rikyu is impressed on them.

Meanwhile ISHIDA Mitsunari cannot manage to take Oshi Castle. Then Masayuki, who rerurns from Odawara and initiates him he secrets of taking the castle. After the war, daimyos are rewarded for their services in Utsunomiya (current Utsunomiya in Tochigi), and a one-eyed young man who is cheerful and smart is among them. His name is Date Masamune.

The image shows Ujimasa who cuts off his topknot.
(From the official website of Sanada Maru)

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